Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"They what?" He looks at Hunter, wounded. "You speak Sylvan? You didn't tell me?"

[Tethras Clan]

"...what's a sylvian?" Hunter asks hesitantly.

[Varric]

"Wait a minute..." Varric says slowly, then rattles off a few seconds, the language obviously changing a half-dozen times at least. "Did you both..." Both mabari nod. "Right. They just..."

[Bethany]

"Merrill didn't bother with languages," Bethany says with a shrug. "Super doggos can talk, period. It makes... sense, in her sort of way."

[Carver Amell]

Carver relaxes, reaching out to pat Hunter. "Sorry, boy. I got confused. This place is weird."

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter eagerly surges into the petting, a goofy smile on his doggy lips. "Yes, boss, yes!"

[Varric]

"...but she doesn't... Am I not actually... or maybe..." Varric shakes his head. Right. Delve. Focus. "Alright. Map. We have... Enchanted Fairy Forest of Fun Times, The Delightful Park of Romantic Walks and Family Picnics, The Really Neato Temple Street, The Treehouse of Wisdom and Tea, The Scary Swamp of Doo-doo Heads and Bullies, The Good Doggo Playground of Perpetual Cuddles... Carver's Bedroom of..." He coughs a little. "The Totally Secret Hideout for Actually Pretty Nice Bandits or... place is pretty big, honestly."

[Carver Amell]

"The moon," says Carver ,softly, looking down at Hunter. "How do we get to the moon?"

[Varric]

Varric slowly looks up at the frowning, sad moon far above and yet too close to them all. "...well, shit."

[Bethany]

"Yeah. Yeah, you're exactly right," Bethany says quietly. "But... how? Even dad's Overland Flight spell would never last that long."

[Varric]

"That's very true-  people far more powerful than I have have tried," Varric admits with a nod. "But that's not how it works. Delves aren't solved by spells or skills, but by knowing the patient. The trick is going to be figuring out how Merrill thinks going to the moon should work."

[Carver Amell]

Carver takes a deep breath, then nods. "Alright. The bandit hideout." 

[Bethany]

"Carver..." Bethany says, voice pained. "Are... will you be... okay?" she asks, moving closer so she can rest a hand on each side of his face.

[Carver Amell]

"I don't think so," he admits, rubbing the back of his head. "But... this is Merrill's head. She wouldn't let anything happen to me for real. So."

[Varric]

"You sure about that?" Varric asks gently, hating to point this out but not willing to risk his son this way. "The Merrill we left out there wouldn't, the Merrill we had two weeks ago... they wouldn't. But how sure are you about the Merrill that knows about your fight?"